Have you ever walked out of a meeting or presentation thinking, “What just happened?”

I have. And I’ve been speaking professionally for decades.

I still remember the day I lost my footing—literally and mentally—while delivering a workshop for a corporate client I had high hopes of working with long-term. I had envisioned this session as a gateway to leading a series of workshops across their statewide locations. The opportunity was big. The stakes were high.

And that’s when my slide deck failed me.

Several slides mysteriously disappeared, right in the middle of the presentation. One minute I was building momentum, and the next, I was fumbling—visibly—trying to figure out what had gone wrong. Instead of acknowledging the issue and regrouping, I froze. I let my inner critic take the mic:

“You’re blowing this.”
“They’re losing confidence in you.”
“You should be better than this by now.”

I tried to carry on as if nothing had happened, but my confidence took a nosedive, and the energy in the room shifted. Afterward, the meeting planner pulled me aside and said, “You got lost in your slide deck. What happened?”

I don’t remember what I said in response, but I do remember what I didn’t say:
“I panicked.”

I had spoken hundreds of times before, but in that moment, I was completely derailed—not just by the tech issue, but by the internal narrative I allowed to take over.

Looking back, I now know what I should have done. I could have paused, said with a smile,

“Oh no—looks like my slide deck derailed! Let’s keep going while I get that sorted out,”
and then blanked the screen or asked for tech help during the break.

But when we’re under pressure, it’s not logic that leads—it’s emotion. It’s the voice of doubt, fear, and perfectionism that tells us we’re not good enough, and that everyone in the room knows it.

That voice? It's not your truth. It’s your inner critic.

🛠️ Tip of the Week: When Things Go Sideways, Say So

You don’t have to pretend everything’s perfect. If your tech crashes, you forget your words, or something unexpected throws you off—acknowledge it, breathe, and move forward.
Audiences appreciate honesty and grace far more than perfection.

💬 Here’s What I Wish I’d Had That Day…

A place to practice being thrown off course. A space to test my material. A group of supportive people to say, “You’ve got this,” and offer honest, kind feedback.

That’s exactly why I’m launching the Confident Communicator Collective—a space for professionals like you who are great in conversation but struggle when all eyes are on you.

Inside the Collective, you'll be able to:

• Practice your 60-second intro, story, or CTA

• Get feedback in a safe, supportive environment

• Access templates, checklists, and video tips to build your confidence

We're opening soon. If you want to be one of the first to know (and snag the special founding member rate), send me a quick email and I’ll add you to the waitlist.

Because you do know your stuff. And with a little support, you’ll know exactly how to say it.